President Mahinda Rajapaksa currently on a four day official visit to Japan met with the Japan – Sri Lanka parliamentary union representatives this morning.

President Rajapaksa while thanking Japan for its assistance to Sri Lanka’s development remarked that leaders and people of the world should visit Sri Lanka to see for themselves the progress the country had achieved in all aspects in recent times.

Japanese Defence Minister Itsu-nori Ono-dera also called on President Rajapaksa yesterday.

Ambassador Yasushi Akashi also met with the President at a private lunch.

During the visit President Rajapaksa is expected to hold discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today and have an audience with the Japanese Emperor and Empress who will also be hosting a lunch for the President and the First Lady.